Can opener



July 23, 1957Y T. A. MAGNusoN 2,799,922

CAN OPEER l Filed Dec. 29, -1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR THORWA LD A. MA GIVl/SOIV BMM/4162227? uw ATTORNEYS July 23, H195? T. A. MAGNusoN 2,799,922

CAN OPENER Filed Dec. 29, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY i- 5 Y ATTORNEY? Patented July 23, 1957 CAN OPENER Thorwald A. Magnuson, Marinette, Wis,

Application December 29, 1955, Serial No. 556,233

Claims. (Cl. 30-6.1)

This invention relates to can openers and more particularly to a can opening device operable to pierce the top of a can iu response to a pushing movement of the can itself.

An object of the present invention is to provide a can opener which will eliminate the need for the operator to use two hands to perform the opening function.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved can opening device which eliminates the necessity of two separate operations in order to pierce both a pouring hole and vent hole in the top of a can.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improved can opening device which is fast in operation, but yet simple in the manner in which it functions so as to accomplish a piercing of the can top with a minimum of etort by the operator.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a can opening device `of the type described which includes improved cooperating tool means for piercing in sequence a pouring hole and a vent hole in the top of the can.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a can opening device of the type described having improved means for receiving, positioning and retaining a can in position to be pierced in the operation of the device.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a can opening device of the type described having improved can-receiving means operable to receive and retain cans of various diameters.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a can opening device including improved means for converting the pushing motion of the can to a pivotal piercing motion of the cutting tools.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a can opening device of the type described which is simple in construction, easy to operate and economical to manufacture and maintain.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the drawings wherein an illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a can opening device embodying the principles of the present invention and showing the parts in their initial position for receiving a can;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device, with parts broken away, showing the parts in their operative position after the can has moved the same to pierce the top thereof;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of Figure l; and A Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S-S of Figure 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a can opening device, generally indicated at 10, which embodies the principles of the present invention. The device 10 includes a support, generally indicated at 12, arranged to be attached to the undersurface of a counter 14, or the like. It will be understood that, while the support as shown is arranged to be attached beneath a counter, the same may be readily modified so as to secure the device to a vertical surface or inclined surface. As shown, the support 12 includes an upper longitudinal frame member 16 having a pair of L-shaped brackets 18 secured on opposite sides of the forward end thereof and to the undersurface of the counter. A pair of rearward L-shaped brackets 20 are secured to opposite sides of the rear end of member 16 and to the underside of the counter. The brackets 20 may be of greater Vertical length than the brackets 18 so as to dispose the frame member in an inclined plane of approximately 10 to the horizontal, if desired.

Secured between the brackets 18 and extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom is a forward vertical frame member 22 and a rearward vertical frame member 24 has its upper end secured between the brackets 20 and extends downwardly therefrom. Extending between the lower ends of the vertical frame members 22 and 24 in parallel relation to the member 16 is a pair of longitudinal frame members 26 secured at their forward ends on opposite sides of the frame member 22 and at their rearward ends on opposite sides of the frame 24. The upper surface of each frame member 26 is formed with a plurality of teeth 28 which define a rack for a purpose hereinafter to be more fully described.

The support 12 is arranged to support a carriage or can-receiving means, generally indicated at 30, for sliding movement along the length of the longitudinal frame members 26. The carriage 30 comprises a pair of Vertical plates 32 disposed on opposite sides of the frame members 26. Extending between the plates 32 at the central portion thereof are a pair of spacer pins 34, which, along with like pins hereinafter to be described, serve to maintain the plates in spaced relation. The pins 34 are disposed so their upper surfaces engage the lower surface of the longitudinal frame members 26 and serve, together with a pair of blocks 36 rigidly secured to the inner face of each plate in a position to engage the upper edge of the teeth 2S, as a means for guiding the carriage for sliding movement along the members 26. In addition to the pins 34, three spacing pins 40 are secured between the plates so as to aid in maintaining the same in spaced relation. The pins 40 serve only this function and may be omitted, if desired.

Formed in the lower forward portion of the plates 32 is an angular opening dening downwardly facing surfaces 42 for engaging the top of a can and forwardly facing surfaces 44 for engaging the periphery of the can parallel to its axis. Surfaces 42 and 44 are substantially perpendicular to each other and a notch 46 is formed at their juncture to receive the ange of the top of the can. Mounted just below the notch 46 are a pair of forwardly and outwardly diverging arms 43 having a forward concave surface 50 arranged to engage the periphery of the can outwardly of the surfaces 44 and an upwardly facing surface 52 arranged to engage beneath the flange of the can top. The arms 48 have rearward extensions 54 which engage the outer surface of the plates and a pair of connecting pins 56 extend between the extensions and through a pair of spaced longitudinally elongated slots 58 formed in the plates. A leaf-spring 60 has one end anchored to a spacing pin 62 and the other end in engagement with the pins 56 so as to resiliently bias the arms 45t-forwardly. In this manner, the arms 48 are yieldable rearwardly so .that .cans .of larger .diameter .can .be ,engaged therewith and with the forwardly facing surface 44 as will hereinafter be more fully described.

' .Iounnalled inathe eupper portion of the .plates 32', as by Va spacer pin 64 extending therebetween, isa pair .of hor-izontally ,spaced pinions-. having A:teeth 168. formed .on

theil' 'Outer -PPhem'es .so as to vmesh awith .theteetliZS of .the associated longitudinal .frame membenz.

intermediate gear 70 is mounted. on the .pin .64 lbetween the .pinions .66 .for rotation V.therewith and has :teeth 72 formed :in .itsouterperiphery which .mesh with teeth 74 formed in :the .outer-periphery .of .a gear -segment'76.' YThe gear 'segment 76 is .pivotedfbetweern the .plates 32, .as by a spacer pin '78, and is biased to .move in a counterclockwise-direction, as viewed inFigure 2, by means of'areturn:spring.8'secured at one .endto `the gear segment and at ritsrotherend to ithe pin 62.

A' tool 82, fpreferably triangular in plan, is krigidly secured tothe ygear segment76 :and is operable to pierce thereofregardless ofthe size of can being opened. The

gear segment 76 kalso has a radially spaced abutment S4 formed thereon forengaging the outer end of a tool arm S6 pivoted at its outer end, Vas by -spacer pin 88, between the lplatesl at the forward end thereof just above the downwardly facing surfaces 42. Tool arm 84 includes a tool "gtrarranged =to Vpierce a vent hole in the can top. The tool arm 86 is also providedwith a depression Y92 formed inits lupper surface, which is arranged to .engage the forward vspacer pin 34. A coil spring 94 has one of its ends secured'to the tool Aarm '86 and its other end secured to a spacer pin 96 so as to lresiliently bias the tool arm depression '92 into engagement with pin 34.

Operation Y neath the fiange, and the concave surfaces 50 of the arms and the .forwardly facing surfaces 44 of the plates are engaged with the periphery of the can. The curvature of the arms 48 is such that a can of standard size, for example, a beer can or the like, will engage the same throughout the same concave surfaces 50. vIn thiscase,

' the surfaces 44 of the plates will engage the periphery ofthe` can without the necessity of deflecting the arms 48 rearwardly. When cans of larger diameter are utilized,

it will be understood that the outer surfaces of the arms will engage the periphery of the can before surfaces 44 arefengaged; In this case, the arms yield rearwardly upon the engagementV of the can therewith, by virtue of the spring 64.), until the surfaces 44 Vare engaged. In this manner, the Vcan isirigidly maintained against movement Vtoward either side by means of :the arms 48. In addition, the upwardly facing surfaces 52 of the arms serve to prevent `downward'movement of the can while the Y downwardly 'facing surfaces 42 of plates 32 serve to prevent upward movement .of the can. The can is thus maintained in .a position Vso that movement of the can-receiving meansrearwardly by pushing on thercan can be readily effectedV without; danger ofthe can losing contact therewith.

As theiplatesl32 .are lmoved lrearwardly Aby the can,

2,799,922 Y Y 5 g inions 66 are rotated due to the engagement of their teeth 68 with rack .teeth 28. .Since gear 7.0 .is mounted for rotation with the pinions66, teeth 72 thereof will engage the teeth 74 of the gear segment 76 so as to impart movement thereto. In this manner, the gear segment 76 carrying piercing tool 82 is moved into piercing relation with the top of the can as the latter moves the can-receiving means rearwardly withrespect to the support. The position of the tool 82 with respect to the abutment 84 tool 86 is such that the'point of the tool 82 will initially penetrate the can top before :the .engagement of the abutment 84 with the tool arm 86 has moved theV piercing tool-90 into initial-engagement1with the can top. The initial penetration .of the'lattcr willoccur during the subsequent piercing operation of the tool 82. When Vthe piercing operation has been completed, the can is moved forwardly and the can-receiving means will move back into its initial forward position by virtue of returnspring easy Vpenetration with a relatively short movement of the n By providing separate -tools Varranged to initiallyv can. penetrate the -canrtop at different time intervals, the force required to effect such initial penetration is reduced to one-half the force necessary in devices where both tools penetrate -at the same time, .Moreoveig the present device incorporates wnovel. canreceiving :means which AautomaticallyV adjusts itself Yfor various sized cans. regard, it will be noted that the pouring hole pierced by the tool 82 is Aat all times maintained in a xed optimum position with respect to the outer periphery of the Ycan top by virtue of the various can positioning surfaces of the means 30 regardless of the can size. Furthermore, these surfaces eectively maintain the can in position rela,- tive to the carriage so that movement of the latter can be accomplished without danger 'of Ithe can slipping out of contact therewith. Stated differently, the can-receiving means provides surfacesfor preventing movement .of the can in every direction with the exception of the forward direction for withdrawal. Thus, once the can is engaged with the can-.receiving means, a pushing motion having a substantial .component of force in any transverse direction will not disengage the can from the can-receiving means.

I claim:

1. Ina can opener, a support, a pair of can piercing tool arms operatively connected with said support -for movement about different axes, can piercing tools fixed to said arms, can-receiving means mounted on said support for movement with respect thereto, said can-receiving means being operatively connected with one of said tool arms so asto move the latter and hence the Vtool carried thereby into Vpiercing relation with the top of a canin response to the movement of said can-receiving means relative to said support by the can, the second ofV said tool arms being disposed in the path of movement of said first tool arm, said first tool arm engaging and moving said second tool arm so that the tool carried by saidsecond arm is moved into piercing relation with the top of the can in response to the can piercing movement of said first tool arm, said tools being disposed relative to each other so as to engage the can ltop at different times during the movement of said can-receiving means.

2. In a can opener, a support, can-receiving means mounted on said support for movement relative thereto, a pair of can piercing tool arms mounted on said canreceiving means for pivotal movement `about different In this axes, can piercing tools fixed to said arms, means connected between said support and one of said tool arms for pivoting the latter and hence the tool carried thereby into piercing relation to a can top in response to the movement of said can-receiving means relative to said support by the can, the second of said tool arms being disposed in the path of movement of said one tool arm, said first tool arm engaging and moving said second tool arm so that the tool carried by said second arm is moved into piercing relation to the can top in response to the piercing movement of said rst tool.

3. In a can opener as defined in claim 2, said canreceiving means including surfaces for engaging a can to position the adjacent outer periphery of the top thereof in fixed relation to the can-receiving means and outwardly and forwardly diverging arms for engaging the cylindrical surface of the can beneath the top ange thereof to prevent lateral and downward movement of the can relative to said can receiving means, said arms being rearwardly yieldaole to permit cans of varying diameters to engage said surfaces.

4. in a can opener: a support; can-receiving means mounted on said support for movement relative thereto, said can-receiving means including surfaces for engaging a can to position the adjacent outer periphery of the top thereof in fixed relation to the can-receiving means, and outwardly and forwardly diverging arms for engaging the cylindrical surface of the can beneath the top flange thereof to prevent lateral and downward movement `of the can relative to said can-receiving means, said arms being rearwardly yieldable to permit cans of varying diameters to engage said surfaces; and tool means operable to pierce the adjacent outer periphery of the can top upon movement of said can-receiving means relative to said support by `the can.

5. in a can opener as defined in claim 4, said surfaces including perpendicular surfaces having a notch formed at the juncture thereof for receiving the can top flange.

6. In a can opener: a support; can-receiving means mounted for movement with respect to said support, said can-receiving means including a downwardly facing surface for engaging the top of the can, a forwardly facing surface extending downwardly from said downwardly facing surface for engaging the outer periphery of the can parallel to its axis, and a pair of forwardly and outwardly diverging arms having upwardly facing surfaces for engaging beneath the flange of the can top at positions disposed outwardly from said forwardly facing surface, said arms being yieldably mounted in a rearward direction for permitting cans of varying diameter to be moved into engagement with said forwardly facing surface, said surfaces and said arms serving to prevent movement of a can relative to said can-receiving means except in a forward direction; and can piercing tool means operable to pierce the can top upon movement of the can with said can-receiving means relative to said support.

`7. In a can opener, a support including a rack, canreceiving means slidably mounted on said support, a pinion journaled on said can-receiving means in meshing engagement with said rack, a can piercing tool pivotally mounted on said can-receiving means, and means connected between said pinion and said tool for pivoting the latter into piercing relation to a can top in response to rotation of said pinion occasioned by the sliding of said can-receiving means relative to said support by the can.

8. In a can opener as defined in claim 7, a second can piercing tool pivoted on said can-receiving means, said second tool being disposed in the path of movement of said first-mentioned tool so as to be moved into piercing relation to the can top in response to the piercing movement of said first-mentioned tool.

9. in a can opener, a support, can-receiving means mounted on said support for movement relative thereto, a gear segment pivotally mounted on said can-receiving means and having a can piercing tool secured thereto, a gear journalled in said can-receiving means in meshing engagement with said gear segment, and means connected between said support and said gear for rotating the latter and hence pivot the tool on said gear segment into piercing relation to a can top in response to the movement of said can-receiving means relative to said support by the can.

10. in a can opener as defined in claim 9, a second can piercing tool pivoted on said can-receiving means, said second tool being disposed in the path of movement of said gear segment so as to be moved into piercing relation to the can top in response to the can piercing movement of the tool on said gear segment.

11. In a can opener, a support including a rack, canreceiving means slidably mounted on said support, a pinion journalled on said can-receiving means in meshing engagement with said rack, a gear carried by said canreceiving means for rotation with 'and about the axis of said pinion, a gear segment pivoted on said can-receiving means in meshing engagement with said gear, and a can piercing tool carried by said gear segment.

12. in a can opener as defined in claim 11, a second can piercing tool pivoted on said can-receiving means and disposed in the path of movement of said gear segment.

13. In a can opener: a support including a substantially horizontally disposed rack; a pair of vertical plates mounted in spaced relation on opposite sides of said rack for sliding movement therealong, said plates having a can-receiving opening formed therein below said rack defining downwardly and forwardly facing perpendicular surfaces for engaging the top and periphery respectively of the can; a pair of arms diverging forwardly and outwardly from said forwardly facing surface for engaging the periphery of the can beneath the top flange thereof; means mounting said arms between said plates for rearward yielding movement; a pinion journalled between said plates in meshing engagement with said rack; a gear mounted between said plates for rotation with and about the axis of said pinion; a gear segment pivoted between said plates in meshing engagement with said gear; and a can piercing tool on said gear segment.

14. In a can opener as defined in claim 13, a spring between said gear segment and said plates for resiliently urging said gear segment in a direction away from movement into piercing relation to the can.

15. In a can opener as defined in claim 13, a second can piercing tool pivoted between said plates about an axis spaced from the pivotal axis of said gear segment, said second tool being normally biased into an inoperative position disposed in the path of movement of said gear segment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

